Hay bale stacking apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for stacking bales of hay into large bundles such as, for example, three bales high and seven bales wide, positions bands about the stacked array to provide a tightly bound, compressed stack of bales. The stacking apparatus compresses the stacked bales during banding with a greater force applied to the same facing portions of the bales as applied during formation of the bales to form a solid, rigid, self-supporting large bundle made up of small bales. Parallel spaced compression zones extending inwardly are formed in the upper and lower rows of bales in the least compressed portion of the bales for receiving the bands which are applied without high tension so as not to damage the hay in holding the bundle of hay bales together. This arrangement prevents the bands from cutting into the hay bales as well as severing the binding of the individual bales, allows the hay bundle to be easily moved by pallet forks, and maintains the banding out of contact with the ground to avoid band damage and deterioration from the elements as well as from rodents. The apparatus is computer controlled and fully automated from the input of individual bales to the discharge of a tightly banded and compressed bundle of hay bales and can be used in “on the go” as the apparatus traverses a field containing the individual hay bales.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.